Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Big Rapids Township, Michigan

Big Rapids Township’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction throughout Big Rapids Charter Township's corporate limits.

  • The township building official is the enforcing agency under Public Act 230 of 1972.

  “The township assumes responsibility for the administration and enforcement of said Act throughout its corporate limits.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land in the unincorporated portion of Big Rapids Charter Township, Michigan.

  • The ordinance divides only the unincorporated portion of the township into land-use districts.

  “The unincorporated portion of the township is hereby divided into the following land use districts:”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  The unincorporated portion of Big Rapids Charter Township.

  • District boundaries are shown on the Land Use Map of Big Rapids Charter Township, Michigan, which is part of the zoning chapter.

  “Said districts are bounded on a map entitled “Land Use Map of Big Rapids Charter Township, Michigan,” which map is made part of this chapter.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Use of an automobile trailer or travel trailer as a residence on private land in Big Rapids Charter Township.

  • Residence use on a site, lot, field, or tract not specifically licensed as a trailer park is limited to 21 days unless a zoning-administrator permit is issued.
  • The trailer location must conform to all dwelling lot and yard regulations in the district.
  • The use is subject to § 153.070.

  residential use without stated exception: <= 21 days (A permit may be issued by the Zoning Administrator.)

  “No person shall use or permit the use of any automobile trailer or travel trailer as a residence on any site, lot field or tract of land not specifically licensed as a trailer park for more than 21 days except as hereinafter provided:”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Permit inquiries and submissions to Big Rapids Charter Township Building and Zoning.

  • Building and Zoning is available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon.
  • Applicants must call 231-796-3603 to set an appointment.
  • Permits and questions are submitted to the township's stated email address.

  “Building and Zoning will be available at the Township Monday-Thursday, from 8am-12. Please call 231-796-3603 to set up an appointment, and submit all permits and questions to [email protected].”

Rules another office applies inside Big Rapids Township

Big Rapids Township does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Lots in the Agricultural District inside Big Rapids Charter Township.

  • In platted areas, the State Subdivision Control Act controls.
  • Where both public sanitary sewer and public water are accessible, the minimum is 7,000 square feet for single-family homes, 9,000 square feet for duplexes, and 6,500 square feet for apartments.

  minimum lot size: 1 acre (Platted areas and parcels accessible to both public sanitary sewer and public water services.)

  “Minimum lot size. One acre, except in platted areas where the State Subdivision Control Act, being M.C.L.A. 560.101 et seq. shall control.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — Lots in the A-Residential District inside Big Rapids Charter Township.

    “Forty-three thousand five hundred and sixty square feet for any lot, provided that existing separately owned lots and platted lots may be accepted from this restriction,”

• Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

  Mobile homes in the Agricultural District inside Big Rapids Charter Township.

  • Mobile homes are subject to § 153.035.

  “The following uses and regulations shall apply in the Agricultural District. (A) Permitted uses. [...] (4) Mobile homes subject to the provisions of 153.035.”

• Accessory dwellingsProhibited

  Additional dwelling units as accessory uses in the A-Residential District inside Big Rapids Charter Township.

  “Any other structure or use clearly accessory and incidental to a permitted use but not including an additional dwelling unit;”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Big Rapids Township or Mecosta County directly.

• Building permit — Residential construction inside Big Rapids Charter Township.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Big Rapids Charter Township.
• Inspections — Building work inside Big Rapids Charter Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Completed construction inside Big Rapids Charter Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Big Rapids Charter Township.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Big Rapids Township means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

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